Tire Changing: DIY tire machines, gadgets, and apparatus

[wheatonFJR]

...(How sad is it that I need to be specific on this forum).

Yes, it is sad they we have gained that perception of you...so thanks for clarifying your tastes.

[Harald]

I used to wrestle with wheels on the floor to change tires, but upgraded about 10 years ago. I enjoy making my own tools and put together a bead breaker/tire changing setup along with a balance stand. Cost me about $10 to buy a few things that I didn't already have laying around to repurpose. I lost picture hosting last year and need to find a new host. I hear Facebook can be used to host pictures and I plan on investigating this so I can write up a proper report for anyone looking for the low cost option.

One thing I did spend money on was a tire install/removal bar from http://www.no-scufftiretool.com/ . Works much easier than spoons.

Speaking of air compressors, I just upgraded my old ear splitting compressor with a SUPER quiet one from Hulk Power. No more ear muffs required when I'm in the shop! https://www.summitracing.com/parts/emx- ... /overview/

[Powerman]

I should have made a video of the tire removal from hell!

Broke the bolt off the end of the mojo lever. Not going to kick my ass.
Heated the tire with with the heat gun, tried a big ass pry bar with a piece of plastic on the rim, denied.
Next tried a Sawzall with a metal blade bouncing off the bead. Got out the grinder with a little cutting wheel.
Now were getting somewhere, until the cutting wheel hit the metal bead wires and started shooting out sparks.
The wife got scared and dropped the bar holding the tire off the rim, put a gouge in the rim.
A little epoxy and sanding, a little paint, at least it was off. All the rest of the tires have since come off with little drama.

[bungie4]

I should have made a video of the tire removal from hell!

Lemme guess T30?

[PhilJet09]

My Harbor Freight Changer is bolted to the floor when in use, stored by winching it up to the ceiling over my Harbor Freight Lift when not in use.

That’s what I do. Drilled holes in the concrete, dropped in some anchors, bolt it to the floor when needed, stored in the attic above the garage otherwise.

[wheatonFJR]

Wow. I'd get my money back from that changer.

[extrememarine]

I have a Cycle Hill changer - low end model from No-Mar. Same mount / dismount bar, 2 of their spoons, 3 of their tire rim clamps and one of the "hand thingys", and the No-Mar tire lube.

I have concrete anchors in the garage floor - I have some threaded rod that is used to fill the holes when the changer is stored.

It takes a little longer to clamp the wheel on the changer (vs the No-Mar cam style clamp) and the bead breaker is down on the floor vs at the wheel clamp position.

The key(s) are a warm tire and lube.

Picked it up used, works great.

[silverback]

FWIW, to everyone changing tires, Murphy's tire soap is the same slick, gooey, smelly stuff as the No-Mar and is considerably less expensive per unit volume.

Usually the local auto parts store has it.

When you buy a huge-ish (20lb?) Bucket, you can slather it on around the bead to rim and it will usually seal well enough to make bead seating easy peasy. Then just scoop the excess that gets pushed out and put it back in the bucket. That 1/4lb jar they sent with the Cycle Hill isn't nearly enough.

[Auburn]

FWIW, to everyone changing tires, Murphy's tire soap is the same slick, gooey, smelly stuff as the No-Mar and is considerably less expensive per unit volume.

Usually the local auto parts store has it.

When you buy a huge-ish (20lb?) Bucket, you can slather it on around the bead to rim and it will usually seal well enough to make bead seating easy peasy. Then just scoop the excess that gets pushed out and put it back in the bucket. That 1/4lb jar they sent with the Cycle Hill isn't nearly enough.

about $26 bucks on amazon for a and 8 lb pail which looks like about 2 gallons Very cheap. works great

[silverback]

FWIW, to everyone changing tires, Murphy's tire soap is the same slick, gooey, smelly stuff as the No-Mar and is considerably less expensive per unit volume.

Usually the local auto parts store has it.

When you buy a huge-ish (20lb?) Bucket, you can slather it on around the bead to rim and it will usually seal well enough to make bead seating easy peasy. Then just scoop the excess that gets pushed out and put it back in the bucket. That 1/4lb jar they sent with the Cycle Hill isn't nearly enough.

about $26 bucks on amazon for a and 8 lb pail which looks like about 2 gallons Very cheap. works great

That sounds like a reasonable size. I have only seen it in 5 gallon bucket size when I worked in shops. Before the last divorce, I just fanagled about 10lbs from the local tire shop for $5 or so with a tire change on the truck.

Amazon. They have everything!

[raYzerman]

a half gallon-ish sie of RuGlyde rubber lubricant works awesome too, dilute it 50-50 with water and put it in a spray bottle. Last you for years.

[bungie4]

a half gallon-ish sie of RuGlyde rubber lubricant works awesome too, dilute it 50-50 with water and put it in a spray bottle. Last you for years.

You're still talking about mounting tires right?

[raYzerman]

Multi-purpose Dude! And water soluable, does it get any better?

[Harald]

a half gallon-ish sie of RuGlyde rubber lubricant works awesome too, dilute it 50-50 with water and put it in a spray bottle. Last you for years.

Available at NAPA stores! This is what I use.

[tominca]

I have done a lot of tire changes on a modified Harbor Freight stand. I have the Mojo Blocks and use a NoMar bar. I also installed a Cycle Hill bead breaker since it is so much better and won't scratch. Like BigJohnSD I use the big yellow thing. An essential accessory is a strap to keep the wheel from turning. I have the FJReady balancer, weights, valve tools, and no-mar lube.

The HF tire changer bolts to the concrete floor with 8-threaded anchors that are flush to the floor when not in use. The system has worked very well for me but the T30 GT tires in 190/55-17 are a special challenge. I get them done, but they like me to talk dirty to them. What I'd like to add is the XtraHand Clamp (or two) to keep the tire in the center of the wheel.

[HaulinAshe]

Weather will be turning cooler soon, so I thought I'd throw in a frugal purchase suggestion for anyone changing tars in cold weather...
Buy a cheap electric blanket and wrap it around your new hoops then toss it into a cardboard box for about an hour prior to changing. Toasty warm tars are WAY easier to spoon.

[Auburn]

Weather will be turning cooler soon, so I thought I'd throw in a frugal purchase suggestion for anyone changing tars in cold weather...
Buy a cheap electric blanket and wrap it around your new hoops then toss it into a cardboard box for about an hour prior to changing. Toasty warm tars are WAY easier to spoon.

Holy cow...Ashe is still around...good to see you commenting!

[wheatonFJR]

I saw him just the other day at EOM.

He was riding someone else's bike around the parking lot.

[bill lumberg]

Never changed my own tires. I pay a minimum of $80 a set a change. Makes you gravitate toward longer lasting tires for sure.

[bill lumberg]

If only we had someone to make a video of themself talking for 45 minutes then showing us how to perform this task at home